Tom Collins

left - Fitzgerald • right - Tom Collins

Who is Tom Collins?

That’s what I was wondering, but turns out it’s the wrong question. Tom Collins isn’t a person but rather a type of gin and of type of glass. It got it’s name because it’s traditionally served in a Collins glass, a tall cylindrical glass. Back in the day, you could even buy Collins mix, which was sparkling lemonade, and add gin to it. And Tom, well, that probably came from the original recipe (written back in 1882) which called for Old Tom gin.

Death & co • p.152

2 oz gin
1 oz simple syrup
0.75 oz lemon juice
sparkling water

garnish: lemon twist & bourbon cherry

Shake all ingredients (except sparking water) with ice, then strain into a glass full of ice. Top with sparkling water and garnish with the lemon and cherry.

I recommend beefeater gin and Jack Rudy bourbon cherries (a bit pricey but worth every penny). These cherries are also pretty good.

If you like this, you’ll probably also like
Fitzgerald • gin, lemon
Gin Ricky • gin, lime, sparkling water